Kara Chutney Recipe – Spicy Onion Tomato Chutney

March 6, 2025 | By
Kara chutney

Yesterday I shared Chana dosa/Kondakadalai dosa along with this Kara chutney recipe. As I mentioned in that post, this kara chutney is a good side dish for that dosa. Suchi shared this recipe with me and told this is her mom’s best spicy chutney recipe she makes for Idli, dosa, Pongal and Kara adai. Basically I love red colored onion tomato chutney recipes. Usually Red chutney is my choice in hotels too. When Suchi shared this recipe along with a picture, I was very much tempted and tried this for chana dosa. This spicy, tangy chutney goes well with that soft chana dosa more than coconut chutney. Thank you so much Suchi for sharing your mom’s recipe with me. Friends, do try this chutney recipe for Idli, dosa and enjoy! Forgot to tell you, this chutney is without coconut too. Ok, lets see how to make this South Indian style Kara chutney recipe.
Do check out my hotel style Red chutney recipe and Chettinad Red chilli chutney.

Kara chutney recipe

Kara chutney recipe

Kara chutneyr recipe Kara chutney recipe with onion and tomato – Side dish for idli,dosa., pongal and adai

Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Chutney recipes
Serves: Serves 2
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • Ripe tomato – 2 no
  • Big onion – 1 no
  • Red chillies – 4-6 nos ( adjust as per taste, I used 5 byadgi chillies)
  • Dhania/Coriander seeds – 1 tsp
  • Small Garlic cloves – 4 nos
  • Ginger – 1/2 inch piece
  • Cooking oil – 2 tbsp
  • Tamarind – a very small piece
  • Salt & water – as needed

To temper

  • Cooking oil or gingely oil – 2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves – few
METHOD

  • Wash and chop the onion and tomatoes into small cubes. Peel the ginger and garlic cloves. Chop the ginger finely.
  • Heat oil in a kadai. lower the flame and saute the dhania seeds, broken red chillies, garlic cloves and ginger pieces.  Make sure you don’t burn the dhania seeds.Then add the onion slices. Saute for a minute in medium flame. Add tomato pieces, required salt. Saute until tomato turns mushy. Switch off the flame & let it cool down.
Kara chutney recipe
  • Add a very small pinch of tamarind and grind to a smooth paste adding required water.Heat oil in a small kadai and temper mustard seeds, urad dal, hing and curry leaves. Add to the chutney. Mix well and serve with Idli, dosa, pongal or adai by drizzling few tsp of gingely oil.
Kara chutney recipe

Enjoy !
NOTE : You can carry this chutney for travel. In that case, use gingely oil for tempering and add the chutney to the kadai. Let it boil till all the moisture content vanishes. After the chutney becomes thick like a thokku, remove it from the flame and let it cool. Then store in a box and carry it for travel.Stays good for a day. Use clean spoon to handle.
For variations, you can skip dhania seeds or ginger and make this chutney.
I used Byadgi red chillies to get this bright color. I used nearly 5 chillies. Use 3 chillies for mild spicy taste.



Enjoy this yummy, spicy tomato kara chutney with Idli, dosa and Pongal !! We had it with chana dosa: ))

Kara chutney

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16 thoughts on “Kara Chutney Recipe – Spicy Onion Tomato Chutney”

    3. Unknown

      Chitra.. I tried this it turned out very well. :) also could you post how to make carrot pickle?. I ate at an Indian restaurant in Vancouver. There was sombu and methi seeds in the seasoning in Carrot pickle. I've tried to look up the recipe but no avail. Thanks in advance :)

      Reply
  3. Unknown

    Gonna try to night for Dinner, i got my Dosa mau in side fridge.
    thanks for sharing such a superb chutney my dear sis:)
    happy weekend :)

    Reply
    1. Unknown

      Good afternoon my dear sis Chitra.
      I tried this and its turned out very well, I prefer to share the pictures with you.. so, are you in Istagram? kindly share the Id, Thanks and I'm so happy with your foo book. Keep rocking. Thanks again:) God bless. Have a bleeede day:)

      Reply
    2. Chitra

      Hi Rachel, Thanks a lot sis. My instagram id is #Chitrasfoodbook. U can share the pics. I am eager to see it. Thanks for your blessings :)

      Reply
  6. Anonymous

    Hey this is delicious! You've got pretty awesome recipes on your blog. I work for an app called OrderZapp which is into delivery of sweets, snacks, farsaan, regional delicacies, confectionery among others in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. Since you are a food blogger, could you check out the app and give we your feedback? It'll be highly appreciated. :) And keep sharing such delicious food recipes! :D

    Reply
  7. Unknown

    I tried this chutney and it came out very well. My mom and my husband liked it very much. Thank you for your wonderful recepie mam. Everyone has to try out this chutney simply superb!!!!

    Reply
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